Why it Works

Von Restorff Isolation effect#

Look at this group of tomatoes:

Your eye went straight to the red tomato. We notice when things stand out. This is known as the Von Restorff Isolation effect. When multiple similar objects are present, the one that differs from the rest is most likely to be remembered. What we remember is what we value.

You’ve seen Von Restorff at work all over the Internet:

You can’t help it. Your eye goes straight where they want it to go.

Your work should stand out#

In the same way, you should want your work to stand out in the memory of everyone, from your colleagues to your potential customers. Because you’ve given them something remarkable to hinge on, they can then become your biggest advocates.

Inspires other people#

Sparking joy isn’t just about standing out, though: so long as your work evokes good vibes in people, they’ll associate you with positive emotions.

In the same way that broken windows can encourage further crime, having examples of excellence in your work causes the reverse effect, which has been called the Aesthetic Domino Effect. Putting sparks of joy in your work shows people you care and inspires other people to do the same.